Hermann Sudermann

“ Kellinghausen.
Beata, you are overtaxing yourself. Be careful.
Beata.
My dear friends, you all go on wishing each other a long life but which of us is really alive? Which of us really dares to live? Somewhere, far off in the distance, we catch a glimpse of life--but we hide our eyes and shrink away from it like transgressors. And that's our nearest approach to living! Do you really think you're alive--any one of you? ”

“ Richard.
Why do you laugh?
Beata.
I laugh because in your speech this morning you disowned us both--disowned our long sad sweet dream. Oh, I don't blame you, Richard. It isn't your conscience that torments you, it's the conscience of the race. I'm only a woman--what do I care for the race? You felt that you were sinning--I felt that I had risen above myself, that I had attained the harmony nature meant me to attain. And because I feel that----
Richard. ”

“ Oh, Norbert, you do love her, don't you?
Norbert.
I believe I love her better than my own mother.
Ellen.
No, no, Norbert, that's wicked. You mustn't say that.
Norbert.
Perhaps not, but I can't help feeling it. And why shouldn't I, after all? When I was a boy my father was everything to me--after that he was always travelling, and I was left to my own devices. There are so many things that puzzle a chap when there's no one to talk them over with. It's different with girls, I suppose. At first I used to go to my mother: she's always found life simple enough. ”

“ Kellinghausen.
And how about our personal sense of honour? What of that, Norbert? Are we to be forbidden to defend with our lives the few things we hold sacred on earth? May we no longer fall upon the scoundrel who assails them? You will hardly convince us of that, Norbert.
Richard.
Then again, Norbert, there may be cases--you are too young to have foreseen them, but they exist--where an honourable man may have done irreparable injury to another's honour. If he admits his guilt, and satisfaction is demanded of him, what is he to do? Is he to run away, or to shelter himself behind the law? ”

“ Believe me, Norbert, we must stand or fall by it.
Norbert.
Then we must fall, father.
Richard.
Possibly--even probably. But meanwhile the one distinction we have left is the right to dispose of our lives. When a nobleman of the Italian Renaissance, or a young blade of the court of Louis XIII., crossed the threshold of his house, he was never sure of re-entering it alive. That was what gave him his audacity, his splendid indifference to danger. Today we no longer stake our lives so lightly; but the fact that they are ours to stake still gives its keenest edge to living. ”

“ You haven't dined with us in an age. I've always fancied that the estrangement between your brother and yourself might be the cause of our seeing so little of you.
Baron Ludwig.
My dear Countess, those eyes of yours see through everything; and I read in them all the answers I might make to that question. Ah, well--Richard had the good luck, the unspeakable good luck, to win your friendship, and under your influence, to develop into the man he is!
Beata.
I know how to listen when clever men are talking. That is the secret of what you call my influence. ”

“ The devil take Leonie! She can't hold her cursed meddling tongue; Richard ought to muzzle her. By the way, it's strange he hasn't shown himself to-day.
Beata.
I have had a note from him. He asked me to tell you that he is deep in his speech. He is coming as soon as he has a moment to spare.
Kellinghausen.
There you are again! Just when the man needs a clear head for the great work that's before him, he finds himself involved in this filthy-- Ah, well, I'll have the dogs by the throat yet! I'll have them howling for mercy!
Beata.
Do calm yourself, Michael. Look--your face is all on fire. ”

“ In this unsettled age, when parents are losing their control over their children, and the state its hold over the citizen, when even God and His priests see the soul of man slipping away from them--at such a time we must do all we can to strengthen the only tie that holds humanity together--the only tie that gives youth the shelter of the family life till habit becomes duty, and duty the law of being, and through obedience to that law a strong and enduring national soul is created. Isn't that beautiful, Herr Holtzmann? ”

“ Good-bye, father. (Richard nods to him. Norbert goes out.)
Beata.
Will you dine with me to-day, Richard? (Richard shakes his head.)
Beata.
Just we two?
Richard.
I can't: my wife has a dinner: an ambassador and his wife, two lights of the Church, and others of the same feather. I must show myself on such occasions, to keep up appearances.
Beata.
I'm sorry. I should have liked to have you with me--to-day. How do you stand the suspense? Perhaps I don't show it--but I'm in a fever.
Richard.
It's telling on me too. The fact is, any poor devil of a mountebank is a king compared to one of us. ”

“ Richard.
Spare her, Michael. Let me answer for her. (Kellinghausen advances toward him with clenched fist.)
Beata.
You have questioned me, Michael; let me question you. Must every natural instinct end in remorse and repentance? Sin? I am not conscious of sinning. I did the best that it was in me to do. I simply refused to be crushed by your social laws. I asserted my right to live; my right to self-preservation. ”

“ And so you built up my new life--a hard life to carry, at times, a life bowed under its own wealth as the vine is bowed under its fruit--but how it has grown under your hand, dearest, how it has spread and strengthened!--Now you're laughing at me, Richard. ”

“ Your health, Richard, my dear fellow! Gentlemen, your healths! How deuced quiet you all are! You look as if I'd invited you to my own funeral. Good Lord, if you knew how glad I am to have got the Reichstag off my shoulders!--The other day, down at the polls, I said to one of our Lengenfeld peasants: "My dear friend--" (they're all our dear friends at election-time; we even have to put up with being their dear friends) . ”

“ But I, at least--I--whose whole life is one long struggle against death--I who never sleep, who hardly breathe, who barely stand--I at least know how to laugh, how to love life and be thankful for it! ”

“ Norbert.
Aunt Beata--you're not the same since yesterday. I knew it all along. What a beastly business life is! You--you--of all women!--that they should dare attack you! The scoundrels--the miserable sneaking scoundrels! ”

“ Uncle Michael? When I'm your son? Father, you've heard something. You wouldn't frighten me for nothing.
Richard.
I have heard nothing. But, Norbert, listen. Whatever comes to you in after days, I want you to remember one thing: it doesn't matter whether we succeed or not. ”

“ Richard.
I'm sure of one thing you enjoy looking over our heads.
Beata.
Don't say our heads--don't include yourself with the rest. You think of your duty; they think of their rights. You use the masses in order to serve them. The others think only of power. ”

“ Brachtmann.
Thank God! (They all seat themselves.)
Prince (to Baron Ludwig) .
I can't make your brother out. You know him better than we do. Look at his face--what's the matter with him?
Baron Ludwig.
We are such complicated machines, your Highness. It's impossible to explain any one with a word.
Beata.
Take a hundred, then. (With a short excited laugh.) Life is long enough!
Kellinghausen (to himself) .
Yes. Life is long enough.
Richard.
Instead of discussing my appearance I wish you would criticise my speech.
Prince.
What a gourmet he is, Countess! ”

“ Leonie.
What did I say? I congratulate you, Beata! (She goes out alone.)
Norbert.
What has she been saying to you?
Beata.
Oh, she was right--so right!
Norbert (alarmed) .
Aunt Beata!
Beata (with an effort) .
Norbert--my son--take me to Ellen. In a few minutes I shall be quite----
Norbert.
Come, come-- (Leads her gently out. Sounds of talk and laughter come from the inner room.)
Enter Kellinghausen.
Kellinghausen.
(Putting his head through the curtains.) Ha! No one there? Have our wives made way with each other? (To Richard, who has followed him.) They're not so deuced fond of one another. ”

“ Richard.
Do you think so? It seems to me that when a man and a woman have found everything in each other, as we have, when they have been to each other the strength and the meaning and the object of life--when they've resolved to die fighting back to back, together to the last, as you used to say it seems to me that in such a case there isn't much room for expiation. If Purgatory is like that it must be fairly habitable. (Beata laughs.) Ah, now you are flippant.
Beata.
Be thankful that one of us is, dear! ”

“ Meixner.
They might have been forgeries.
Richard.
They may be so still.
Meixner.
When I've taken the trouble to return them to you? Holtzmann doesn't think so. He's packing up already. Perhaps you'd like to see him before he leaves?
Richard.
No.
Meixner.
Baron Völkerlingk, if I have got you into trouble don't set it down to ill-feeling. Principle is principle, if we have to hang for it. Every man who has convictions must be prepared to go to the stake for them. Good-day to you, Baron Völkerlingk. (He goes out.) ”

“ What we need is the guiding note of a voice that seems the echo of our best hopes. It doesn't matter whether we are mistaken in the voice or not--the great thing is to hear it. And the worst thing is not to feel the need of it.
Norbert.
Thank you, father. I'm not sure I understand--but you may be sure I shall listen for the voice.
Richard.
And one thing more. Uncle Michael is very busy just now. Leave him alone for a day or two--even if you have the chance of speaking. And let me see you to-morrow morning early. I may have to go on a long journey--and before I start----
Norbert. ”

“ I see that some one must pay the penalty--better I than he. He has his work before him--I have lived my life. And so I mean to steal a march on him. Whatever you have agreed upon between you, my death will cancel the bargain--he cannot die now without causing the scandal you have been so anxious to avert. I have always loved happiness, and I find happiness now in doing this for his sake, and the children's and yours. Beata." As she says, this cancels our agreement. You see that I must give you back your word.
Richard.
And you see, Michael----
Enter Norbert. ”

“ Beata.
By and by, at Rossitsch, I'll tell you. When we sit together in the big hall, over the fire, with the wind singing in the chimney. You'll like that, won't you, dear? We'll be so jolly together, you and I. And now, darling, go. (Passionately.) No, come back-- (kissing her) and now-- (smiling at her) go dear, go! (Ellen goes out.)
Enter Conrad.
Beata.
Has every one come?
Conrad.
All but Baron Richard.
Beata.
You may announce luncheon, then. (Conrad goes out. A moment later he throws open the doors, and Baron Ludwig, Prince Usingen, Baron Brachtmann, and Kellinghausen enter.) ”

“ It's much more gratifying to our vanity to think ourselves the objects of divine solicitude than the victims of natural law. (Brachtmann and Baron Ludwig protest. Beata laughs.)
Kellinghausen.
Really, Usingen----!
Baron Ludwig.
Isn't your Highnesses scepticism a little overdone? Surely society has made us the natural protectors of the social order. The order may change with the times--all we ask is that it should maintain the moral balance of power. (Beata laughs.) You are amused, Countess? ”

“ You are not fit to bear what is coming! If you value your life, go----
Beata.
I value yours, and therefore I shall stay.
Enter Kellinghausen.
Kellinghausen (very gravely) .
Good-afternoon, Richard. (Shakes hands with him.)
Richard.
Good-afternoon, Michael.
Kellinghausen (to Beata) .
Has any one been here?
Beata.
Norbert--and Dr. Kahlenberg. No one else.
Kellinghausen.
Kahlenberg? At this hour? Is any one ill?
Beata.
No. He merely came to see me. Shall I give you some tea?
Kellinghausen.
Thanks, no. Richard, you don't want any either? Then, if you'll come into my study----
Richard. ”

“ It makes me laugh," the fellow answered. And he was right. We must amuse the masses and they'll love us. Circus-riding, my dear friends that's all the nobility are good for!
Brachtmann.
We shall miss your cheerful view of life, my dear Kellinghausen.
Kellinghausen.
H'm--that's about the only epitaph I can hope for. Ha! ha!--Well--I say, Richard, what sort of a fellow is that Meixner? (The others look up quickly.) Wasn't he your secretary at one time? ”

“ I referred to the insinuations of your former secretary.
Richard.
I understand.
Baron Ludwig.
You know there is nothing they are so eager to attack as our private life. Of course I don't for a moment imagine the man has anything to go on--but unless you can silence him he may make a scandal in which everything will go under--your name, your career--and other things besides. ”

“ Ellen.
No; nothing. That is--Norbert said-- Oh, yes to be sure; we met Uncle Richard.
Beata.
Ah--where?
Ellen.
In the Zoo. On horseback. He sent his love and said he would be in before dinner. Norbert is coming too. Mother, is it true that Uncle Richard is such a wonderful speaker? Norbert says he can do what he likes with people.
Beata.
Some people--but only those whose thoughts he can turn into feelings, or whose feelings he can turn into thoughts. Do you understand?
Ellen.
Oh, yes! You mean, one can give only to those who have something to give in return? ”

“ Brachtmann.
How is it we never see you in the Reichstag nowadays, my dear fellow?
von Berkelwitz.
What's a man to do? I'm a country squire--I've got to work--and besides I'm too poor to live in town. A man has got to make a show here--keep up appearances--I--hang it, that champagne's gone to my head--what was I going to say? Oh, yes: well, you see, I've got four boys growing up; one is in the Rathenow Hussars--crack regiment, you know--I always look out for that sort of thing--but costs like the devil! ”

“ Brachtmann (aside to the Prince) .
You reprobate!
Leonie.
But pray don't let me disturb you, for I must really be off. My carriage is waiting, and my coachman is so cross. We're all the slaves of our carriages. (To Kellinghausen.) It has been so delightful--dear Beata is such a wonderful hostess. Our great stateswoman knows so well how to keep her party in hand. Willingly or unwillingly, she makes them all come into line; don't you, Beata, dear?
Beata. ”